Photo Courtesy of Columbus Wildcat Cross Country and Track/Field Social Media

The men who led the Columbus Wildcats to a brilliant season in boys’ track and field have received some recognition. Co-head coaches Scott Dennler and Steve Riley have been named the Class 1A At-Large Coaches of the Year by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches.

Dennler and Riley steered the ship of a Columbus team that was one of the most dominant in the state, both indoors and outdoors. The Wildcats started their season by winning the boys’ team title in Class 1A at this year’s IATC Indoor Championships in Ames.

The Wildcats were also undefeated in team competition this spring, including bringing home a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North championship and winning their state qualifying meet in Wayland.

Columbus went on to finish second as a team at the 1A outdoor state meet in Des Moines, with their score just eight points behind champion Lisbon. Senior Triston Miller also won an individual state title by setting a record in the 110-meter hurdles.

Eight total Wildcat athletes brought home medals from state, as did both the 4-by-100-meter and shuttle hurdles relay teams. Dennler and Riley were assisted by coaches Ben Bean, Raul Amigon, Katie Coil and Andy White.